Portfolio

Conversations Lecture Series

Join the Conversation

Spend any time with me, and you are sure to hear the world conversation a lot. From the Medical Humanities Journal to my broader mission as a public intellectual, I am always focused on the dialogue, the encounter, the exchange. I developed the CONVERSATIONS series originally for the Dittrick Medical History Museum, but have since partnered with institutions all around my native Cleveland. These talks are similar in nature to my TED, in that they begin with a brief 15 minute presentation on a key historical concept, but are followed by dialog with an expert panel, and then by the ever important public roundtable. The 3-year series at the Dittrick resulted in a community of return guests who then visited the museum for other events and exhibits. I’ve since engaged a similar series, but with a more–shall we say–informal flare at the Happy Dog Euclid Tavern. And yes. Costumes are frequently involved.

Previous Topics

Select topics included Infant mortality and public health, the dissection debate, industry and environmental health, President Garfield and public health, forensics, PTSD, Vaccines, artificial hearts, mental health, pain and the opioid crisis, history of clothing and [trans]gender identity. These are available on the Museum website with the designation [Conversations]. An example of the latest, on Infant Mortality, may be found here.

Performance

Recently, I appeared with Brooklyn based duo CHARMING DISASTER for a night of prohibition, crime, and mobsters at the Euclid Tavern. The event had people rolling in the aisles. Mostly because I had them act out scenes from prohibition dramas, and we had very committed volunteers.